In the Arkhangelsk Region, the Security Forces Searched and Interrogated Mother and Son. They Are Suspected of Practicing the Religion of Jehovah's Witnesses

On September 16, 2022, security forces detained two civilians on the street in Velsk, a small town in the Arkhangelsk region. They were taken for interrogation, and then searches were carried out in their home, accompanied by a pickup.

At approximately 3:00 pm, a woman, 60, and her son, 28, were met by 8 officials in civilian clothes outside a grocery store. Only one of them flashed his ID. The man and woman were taken to the police station.

The police did not explain the purpose of the arrest. The detainees were questioned about their religion, attitude to military operations in Ukraine and to the authorities. The woman was subjected to a personal search.

After interrogation, she was brought home, where they also searched. It was attended by 9 people, including 2 witnesses. Electronic devices, data carriers, the Bible and religious literature were confiscated. The security forces, according to the woman, threw leaflets similar to business cards to these things, on which it was indicated that her son allegedly provides services in setting up access to a site banned in Russia.

The woman was then taken to the home of her mother, 88. Law enforcement officers took into account the poor health of the elderly woman and searched only the veranda, shed and bathhouse. After that, her daughter was again taken to the department. According to her, one of the police officers mentioned the case of Eugene Yakku. Mother and son left the police station at one in the morning.